Metered Topical Applicator With Disengaged Fill Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-sized metered dose topical applicators face challenges in convenient and effective filling due to their slender design, making it difficult to add medicament without air pockets and ensuring accurate dosing, especially when only partially filled.
Innovation Solution
A metered dose applicator with a drive mechanism that remains disengaged during filling, allowing any fraction of the fill volume, and engages instantly upon actuation, featuring a flexible drive nut with threaded portions that flex for engagement, and includes audible and tactile indicators for precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the applicator is designed with a slender micro-sized form factor, then it becomes suitable for applying medicament to small body surfaces and difficult-to-reach areas, but it becomes difficult to fill without creating air pockets and ensuring accurate dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism transitions from a static engaged state to a dynamic disengaged state during filling, allowing the plunger to move freely. This dynamic reconfiguration enables easy filling of any volume fraction without air pockets, then returns to engaged state for precise metered dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engagement parameter of the drive mechanism between two states: engaged for metered dispensing and disengaged for filling. This parameter change allows the same device to perform both filling and metered dispensing functions effectively
2Measurement precision
If the drive mechanism is engaged during filling, then metered incremental doses can be dispensed accurately, but any fraction of the fill volume cannot be loaded conveniently
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism dynamically switches between engaged and disengaged states. During filling, it is disengaged to allow free plunger movement and any fill volume fraction. During dispensing, it engages to enable accurate metered incremental doses through the screw-thread drive system
Solution Approach 2:
The filling operation is performed first while the drive mechanism is disengaged, allowing the reservoir to be filled to any desired volume fraction without constraint. After filling is complete, the drive mechanism is engaged to begin accurate metered dispensing
3Ease of operation
If the drive mechanism is disengaged to allow any fill volume, then filling becomes convenient, but the drive must be re-engaged before dispensing can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The filling and dispensing operations are merged into a single continuous process by using the same drive mechanism for both functions. The mechanism transitions from disengaged (filling) to engaged (dispensing) without requiring removal or replacement of components, minimizing time loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and accurate filling of any desired volume without air pockets, ensuring precise metered doses with minimal user handling steps and sensory feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The nut includes flexible fingers, each with a threaded portion at one end and a tubular end portion at the other end
Implementation Method 2
The screw includes a distal head and a shaft with screw threads formed thereon
Implementation Method 3
The plunger includes ratchet-style teeth that are engaged by the toothed blocks to advance the plunger in a distance preselected by the metering system
Implementation Method 4
The plunger includes a seal that engages with the inner wall of the reservoir to prevent leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A topical applicator of the propel/repel type includes an expandable reservoir with a port, an attachable applicator tip, and a metered dosing system. The reservoir can be a cylindrical housing with a movable elevator movable by a drive mechanism that is initially not engaged to allow filling of a flowable compound through the port, moving the elevator. An actuator, such as a rotating ring or pushbutton may engage the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can include a one-way ratcheting feature. Metered doses can be dispensed through a hole or holes in the applicator tip by rotating a dosing knob or pushing a pushbutton causing the drive mechanism to advance the elevator. The drive mechanism and the action to dispense metered doses can be combined into a single motion. The drive mechanism can include detent positions that correspond to discrete doses, and can also provide audible and tactile feedback.